While we’re on the subjects of targets (yesterday’s topic was platforms), let’s take a look at training with a block...
Heelwork
The heel work is very important for both retrievers and spaniels, even though the retriever is required to have a more exact heeling position than the spaniel. The aim is that the dog follows the handler, without the handler having to focus on the dog. We start the heel work training as soon as we can with our puppies and on this page you’ll find all our blog posts on the subject.
Gun dog heeling with Tod
This week's blog post is a guest post from our colleage Åsa, from when her working labrador Tod was a young. We went...
Heelwork webinar now available!
Would you like to improve your heelwork? Do you want to teach your dog to love walking by your side and walk to heel...
Training on your walks #FTW
My students often wonder how much and when to train. I usually share my super tip: training on your walks!...
Getting to know Keen
Now Keen has lived with me a couple of months and he has adapted very well to his new pack. There are both advantages...
Course with Helen Phillips
And the winner is…
Reading through all entries in the contest was a real joy! Here are a few of your thoughts: Biggest challenge is to...
Heelwork webinar
The heelwork challenge that we've had the last couple of weeks has been so much fun! We've really enjoyed following...
Day 18: Will the heelwork ever be done?
Last day of the heelwork challenge! I hope that you feel that your heelwork has improved - at least mine has. I would...
Day 17: Putting it all together – in the right direction
Initially, I talked about different parts of the heelwork - details, endurance and distractions. I often train them...
Day 16: Bouncing ball?
Something that often happens when walking to heel is that the dog gets a bit too excited and moves around like a...
Day 15: Heelwork – level: Nerd
I like measurable things, bars and charts. If it's possible to measure something, I would love to do so - preferably...
Day 14: Who are you walking with?
Many dogs quickly build an expectation of who's really in charge - it's that interesting person with the gun or the...
Day 13: Leash off means walk to heel
I like to teach my dogs "default" behaviors, things that they should do even though I don't say anything but the...
Day 12: Reward placement
Something we talk a lot about on our courses is reward expectation and reward placement. Used properly, they are great...
Day 11: Endurance
Many dogs are happy to walk properly for a while, but then they get tired. The heelwork is something that needs to...
Day 10: Help eager dogs by managing them
Some dogs get very excited as soon as something happens - they walk nicely when you turn away from the distractions...
Day 9: Follow the left leg
Besides being able to walk for a long time at my side when I walk straight ahead, the dog needs to be able to follow...
Day 8: Distraction training with food bowls
"My dog can walk to heel for a long time as long as there are no distractions nearby" is something I hear often. And...
Day 7: “Dull heelwork”
"Dull heelwork" means that the dog just tags along by my side. The dog will not be able to heel by anticipation a...
Day 6: Pivot
When the dog can find it's position by my side when I walk it is also good if it can come to my side when I stand...
Day 5: Beware of mistraining!
Heelwork is something that many people with me work a lot on and sometimes struggle with. "How hard can it be to just...
Day 4: Heelwork – from many perspectives
Since the heelwork consists of many parts and should work in many environments, I believe more than one way is needed...
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